Part band, part orchestra and part theatre, DeepBlue has amazed audiences with high-energy performances.

DeepBlue sets sight on Australia’s Got Talent grand final

03 June 2011

Stilt-walking and performing stunts while playing rock music on cello and violin could earn Queensland University of Technology (QUT) musicians a place in a nationally televised talent show's grand final.

DeepBlue, described as part band, part orchestra and part theatre, wowed nearly two million viewers on Channel 7's Australia's Got Talent on Tuesday with a high-energy performance that proved a "revamped orchestra" was as entertaining as any rock band.

DeepBlue receives support from a production team of six QUT staff, Creative Industries and business intern Lisa Jones and music professionals from QUT's Creative Industries faculty who help arrange and write the band's material.

Alex said DeepBlue's performances were polished, but added it took a lot of work to pull off a deceivingly effortless show.

"Although it's incredibly technical, we try to make our performances look easy and actually connect with the music and the audience. There's no reading of music," he said.

"Back in the day orchestras were popular music. They were cutting edge entertainment. We're trying to revamp the orchestra."

Professor Andy Arthurs, co-producer and creative director of DeepBlue, said the band started as an Australian Research Council-funded project four years ago between QUT's Creative Industries faculty and the School of Business.

"I have always loved the orchestra but it always bothered me that it had moved further away from mainstream audiences. We looked at how we could make orchestral music more accessible," Professor Arthurs said.

DeepBlue has since performed across Australia, including to 3000 children who participated in a series of special summer and winter workshops, which culminated in on-stage performances with the band. The next workshop is in June.

Professor Arthurs encouraged the public to vote for DeepBlue, as only two of the eight acts featured on Tuesday's show will progress to the grand finals.

He offered some additional incentive for the QUT community.

"If we get through, we would hold a free concert in gratitude to all QUT staff and students," Professor Arthurs said.

To vote for DeepBlue in Australia's Got Talent, call 1902 55 333 1 or SMS 'DEEPBLUE' to 199 777 72 by Friday, June 3 at noon.